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Pastor’s Corner

By Staff | May 4, 2012

Learning to

Lean on Jesus

Is your life being rocked? Every one of us experiences trying times in life; at times we face decisions we must make that will affect our future, some may have lost a job, some may be struggling with a child’s rebellious behavior, old age can be trying, sickness can be overwhelming, death of a loved one, troubles in marriage, or short on money with too many bills, and the list goes on! What can a person do and where does a person go for help? Proverbs is a book of wisdom in the Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6 lays out important life changing directions, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

God is calling us to trust Him by acknowledging that He is God and that we need Him. Second, God is calling us to turn everything over to Him and trust Him with ALL our heart, meaning everything in us; our mind, our will, emotions, our whole being. When we have surrendered our self will to Him in humble repentance and we turn our broken lives and struggles over to Jesus Christ, He is able to do what is best for us.”… and He shall direct your paths.” Though His paths may seem at present, “straight and narrow”, His paths ultimately lead to life that is abundant and free. His paths lead to God’s helping had. His paths lead to peace of heart and mind. His paths lead to Jesus Christ Himself who is Savior, Lord, and “… a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

The song entitled “Learning to Lean” written by John Stallings is a heartfelt confession of faith and prayer of surrender to Jesus Christ that has been sung by many during times of testing and trial. The reward is finding Christ, and in Him you find more than you’ve ever dreamed!

Learning to lean, I’m learning to lean,

I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

Finding more power than I’ve ever dreamed,

I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

Sad, brokenhearted, at an altar I knelt

I found peace that was so serene

And all that He asks is a child-like trust

And a heart that is learning to lean.

Learning to lean, I’m learning to lean,

I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

Finding more power than I’ve ever dreamed,

I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

Pastor’s Corner

By Staff | May 4, 2012

“Tell me about Jesus.”

How would you respond? This statement has been proposed to you more than you think. You don’t have to go back to Sunday school or some religion class for the last time you had the opportunity to explain what Jesus was all about to you. You’ve been given the chance with any challenge of life. People see what you do.

Do you behave as though Jesus is the Son of God? God provided you with life, and with a plan to deal with life damaged by sin. This means that you choose actions which show your responsibility to God. You back off from pointing to the sins and misdeeds of others because you know your own culpability before the Almighty. By respecting God, you treat your own life and the life of others with respect.

Do you behave as though Jesus is the Son of Man? The Son of God entered this world through Mary by means of the Holy Spirit’s power. This means you choose actions which show that you are not alone. You work to demonstrate empathy for the feelings of others. And regardless of your own feelings, you show care for their problems and hurts.

Do you behave as though Jesus is your Redeemer? Jesus, in his crucifixion, made the only sacrifice possible for the recovery of sinners from the curse of death. His perfect life covered your stained life. This means you choose actions which show humility. You work to let others know that know what it’s like to be a beggar. You were born with nothing, and God owes you nothing. What you have is by no other reason than his grace. Jesus is at the middle of that grace. You extend mercy to others knowing that Jesus died for them as well as for you.

Do you behave as though Jesus forgives your sins? One of Jesus’ detractors once told him, “Only God can forgive sins.” Jesus didn’t argue that case; he simply continued on to forgive sins. You work to let others know that you don’t hold their sins against them. God has dismissed your trespasses because of Jesus, which impels you to do the same for others.

Do you behave as though you’re not very good at doing all the above? Jesus has us covered even when we fall short of the glory of God. You work to give Jesus the credit for your being counted among the Blessed in his Kingdom.

With the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith through the Gospel, you will show Jesus in your life.